MUSKEGON, MI – Large amounts of snow and ice caused a porch roof to collapse in Muskegon early Monday evening.

The collapse occurred around 5:20 p.m. Feb. 17 at a home in the 600 block of Orchard Avenue.

According to Capt. Jim Diffell of the Muskegon Fire Department, a woman and three children under the age of 12 were in the home during the collapse but were not injured.

Diffell said the woman was “pretty shook up and was crying” but was not physically hurt. He added that the woman said she wasn’t comfortable staying in the home.

The American Red Cross was en route to the house, a rental home owned by a Grand Rapids man. The family will be staying in a hotel room Monday night, Diffell said.

T.J. Udell also lives on the 600 block of Orchard Avenue and said he heard the collapse.

“I was out shoveling snow and I heard a crash,” he said. “It was extremely loud. I thought it was a tree.”

Diffell said the house itself looks structurally safe, but that the fire department will be investigating the house further.

“The main concern will be the wall closest to the balcony and whether it was pushed in or out,” Diffell said.

Diffell added that if people are physically able, it would be smart to try and remove as much snow and ice from rooftops and balconies as possible. He added the problem could only get worse if the weather warms up like the upcoming forecast calls.